Articles tagged with: Cardamomin

Cardamonin Shows Anti-Myeloma Activity – Results of a recent Chinese preclinical study show that cardamonin, a compound derived from a plant used in Traditional Chinese medicine, prevents myeloma cells from growing and kills them. Cardamonin works by suppressing NF–κB, a protein that has been linked to cancer and disorders of the immune system. This study showed that cardamonin was effective after 24 hours of exposure. Based on these findings, the researchers concluded that further investigation of cardamonin as an anti-myeloma agent is warranted. For more information, please see the study in Leukemia Research (abstract).

CR2408 Shows Potential As Anti-Myeloma Agent – The investigational drug CR2408 demonstrates potential as an anti-myeloma agent, according to a German preclinical study. CR2408 is a novel pan-histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor. Other HDAC inhibitors that are being investigated for the treatment of multiple myeloma include Zolinza (vorinostat), panobinostat, and Istodax (romidepsin). The German researchers found that CR2408 works differently than previously explored HDAC inhibitors: it prevents cell growth and kills cells by causing DNA and cell fragmentation. In the laboratory, CR2408 was highly active at very low concentrations. It also had additive effects when combined with doxorubicin and Velcade (bortezomib). The researchers pointed out that further studies are needed to examine whether or not CR2408 differs from other HDAC inhibitors in terms of side effects. For more information, please see the study in the British Journal of Haematology (abstract).

BKM120 Shows Potential For Treating Myeloma – A recent preclinical study evaluating the therapeutic benefit of the investigational drug BKM120 in multiple myeloma suggests that the compound effectively halts growth of myeloma cells and kills them. BKM120 is already being investigated in Phase 1 clinical trials in solid breast, colon, ovarian, and endometrial tumors. It is in the same class of drugs as perifosine, which is also being investigated for multiple myeloma. This study showed BKM120 had activity both as a single agent and in combination with dexamethasone (Decadron) in cells that respond to dexamethasone. Additionally, the combination of both drugs at low doses effectively slowed the growth of myeloma and extended survival of mice with myeloma. For more information, please see the study in the Journal of Molecular Medicine (abstract).